Self Care Tips from Edinburgh Feminist Activists

As the busy and bustling month of August comes to close in Edinburgh, here at Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre we're sharing some self care tips from Edinburgh feminist activists: Ellie Hutchinson, Rahnuma Feist-Hassan, and Brenna Jessie.

Ellie Hutchinson

Co-CEO The Empower Project, parent, activist.

'My advice for self-care is know when to say no and feel ok with that. If things are triggering, or hard, or exhausting, allow that. Give yourself permission to do what feels good.'

- Ellie Hutchinson

I spend a lot of time thinking about gender based violence, and sometimes it can feel relentless. Whether it's the endless stream of ‘me toos’, the chats about tech abuse or day to day sexism, it's hard to keep your head above water.

My advice for self-care is know when to say no and feel ok with that. If things are triggering, or hard, or exhausting, allow that. Give yourself permission to do what feels good.

For me, it's running, meditation, music, being with my partner and our kids, seeing friends, learning, cooking. Find what works for you and put it in your tool box of self-care. Is it therapy? It is support? Is it being creative? Is it loving and being loved? Is it eating well and sleeping well? Is it taking the right medication? It is dressing yourself with love?

Being able to love and nurture yourself is particularly hard if you've been told that you are not worthy of love, or that your body is your enemy, or that time on yourself is wasted time, but investing in your own mental health and wellbeing is vital, important and revolutionary. Do it, and do it with love.

Rahnuma Feist-Hassan

Site Leader, Hollaback! Edinburgh

'Even when you don't have the bandwidth to do all the things, there are others who will carry on. So take that break...!'

-Rahnuma Feist-Hassan

My activist self care tips are as follows:

• LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA USE: I’ve found it better for my mental health not to read people’s unfiltered internet opinions. If they really want me to know what they think, I’m sure I’ll find out eventually.

• SET ACTIVISM GOALS: To figure out the best use of my time and energy, I make lists of tangible things I want to achieve. I don’t pressure myself to complete them, but it’s useful for goal tracking and planning breaks for when I need them.

• MAKE FEMINIST FRIENDS: Other than being awesome, it’s also a great reminder to yourself that even when you don’t have the bandwidth to do the things, there are others who will carry on. So take that break; we’ll still be here when you get back!

Brenna Jessie

Scottish feminist activist and External Affairs Officer at Scottish Women’s Aid.

'Self-care is thinking of myself as a battery, learning what recharges me and doing more of that. '

- Brenna Jessie

Working in the field of domestic abuse means I am acutely aware of gender-based violence, abuse and discrimination every day and at points it can feel inescapable. Social media has intensified this, blurring boundaries between work, activism and my personal life.

Sometimes I feel as though self-care has been co-opted and used to boost the sales of bath salts. For me, self-care isn’t buying things, it’s boundaries. It’s saying no and making sure that I have time and space away from injustice that is for myself and those close to me, and critically owning this time without guilt.

Self-care is thinking of myself as a battery, learning what recharges me and doing more of that. And it's important because an empty battery is no good to anyone.

For support following sexual violence you can contact the Rape Crisis Scotland helpline is open Freephone 6pm - midnight, on 08088 01 03 02, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing on minicom number 0141 353 3091. You can also email ERCC directly on support@ercc.scot, or visit our Contact Us page for information on how to make an appointment.